Four

“What do you have to say after causing such a disaster?” Julianna demanded angrily.

Ella held her burning cheek and watched as Richard rushed past her to sweep Sophie into his arms. As he did, his eyes fell on the brown envelope Ella was holding.

He stared at it for a moment.

Is this related to what she wanted to tell me last night? What could it be?

“Babe!”

Richard immediately looked down at Sophie.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m not sure. My back is aching,” Sophie replied, pretending to be in pain.

Richard gently placed her on the couch before turning toward Ella.

“Apologize to Sophie.”

The ache in Ella’s heart deepened until she almost stopped feeling anything.

“Apologize?”

“That shouldn’t even be a question. You know what you did was wrong. Do you have any idea how precious she is?”

Richard’s voice was cold, but the concern in his eyes was unmistakable. Ella stared at him, struggling to accept that the man who had once promised to protect her could now look at her as though she were the problem.

Apparently, even a strand of hair on Sophie’s head mattered more to him than she did.

Ella tightened her grip on the envelope.

“What if I refuse to apologize?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Richard’s face. When had the gentle, accommodating Ella learned to speak to him that way?

His expression hardened.

“You have a stubborn side, huh? Don’t forget that I’m still the one supporting your mother’s orphanage. Think about her before you act.”

The words struck deeper than any insult.

Richard had helped her mother’s orphanage considerably after their marriage. Ella had always been grateful for that, but hearing him use it against her now made the kindness feel like a chain around her neck.

So this is how you choose to threaten me?

She held back her tears and glanced at Sophie, who was lying comfortably on the couch as though she belonged in the mansion. Her gaze wandered around the sitting room until it landed on their wedding photograph.

The picture showed her and Richard smiling at each other, full of promises they had once believed would last forever.

Now, it seemed to mock her.

Ella took a slow breath. She had already lost her husband. She refused to lose what little dignity she had left.

“I’m sorry.”

Sophie’s lips curved into a secret smile, but she quickly replaced it with a look of forgiveness.

“I’ve forgiven you for Richard’s sake. I’m willing to do anything to make my baby happy.”

She glanced at Richard sweetly.

Richard smiled back.

“Thanks, baby. I’ll always do the same for you.”

Ella watched them, and something inside her finally settled.

There was nothing left for her here.

She straightened and looked directly at Richard.

“Can I leave now?”

Richard’s gaze dropped to the envelope in her hand. Ella placed it on the table and pushed it toward him.

The divorce agreement.

This time, she had signed it.

Richard picked it up, his eyes moving over the document. A faint frown appeared on his face. He had expected her to argue, cry, or refuse to sign. He hadn’t expected her to accept the divorce so quietly.

“Is there anything else you want to add to the properties listed in the agreement?” he asked.

“She doesn’t need anything else,” Julianna interrupted. “Someone like her should be grateful for what she’s getting. A penthouse and that much money? Richard, you’re far too generous.”

Ella turned toward her.

“I don’t need any of his property. The only thing I need is for you to let me leave.”

Richard’s expression shifted.

He looked at her suitcase, then back at her face.

“You’re leaving already?”

Ella paused. She hadn’t expected him to ask.

For one foolish second, hope stirred in her chest.

Does he care?

But she quickly pushed the thought away.

“Whether I leave or not is no longer your concern. We’re divorced. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Richard looked away.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. Why would I worry about someone like you? I was only surprised that you wanted to leave so eagerly.”

His words crushed the fragile hope before it could take root.

Ella clenched her fingers around the handle of her suitcase.

“I don’t think I’m needed here anymore. So, I’ll take my leave.”

She walked past him, determined not to look back. But just as she reached the entrance, her foot caught against the edge of the rug.

She lost her balance.

Ella instinctively reached for the couch, but her hand missed it.

Before she could fall, an arm caught her.

Her head landed against a firm chest.

Richard.

For a few seconds, Ella remained in his arms, stunned. His familiar scent surrounded her, and her heart began to ache with a longing she wished she could erase.

She had missed this.

She had missed him.

And for one brief moment, she wished he would hold her a little longer.

Then Sophie’s voice shattered the silence.

“She’s not blind. She only pretended to lose her balance so you would catch her.”

Richard’s arm immediately loosened.

Ella fell to the floor.

She stared up at him, too shocked to speak.

Richard’s expression darkened.

“I never expected you to stoop so low. Stop putting on an act.”

Ella slowly pushed herself up, her eyes fixed on him.

The man standing before her was no longer the Richard she remembered. Or perhaps he was the same man, and she had simply refused to see him clearly.

Either way, she had to accept the truth.

He no longer belonged to her.

Ella looked at Sophie, then back at Richard.

“I wish you both a happy life.”

The moment the words left her mouth, tears filled her eyes.

She had once imagined spending her entire life with Richard. Now, she was standing in front of him, wishing him happiness with another woman.

Sophie smiled smugly.

“Thank you. Perhaps I’ll invite you to our wedding.”

Ella said nothing to the mockery.

She looked at Richard one last time.

“I’ll take my leave, then.”

With that, she picked up her suitcase and walked out of the mansion.

This time, she didn’t look back.

But the moment she stepped beyond the gate, her tears finally fell freely.